SALEM, ORE. -- Senior football player Jack Bevins (Park City, UT/Park City HS) of Willamette University has been named to the third annual class of the Hampshire Honor Society, which was formed by the National Football Foundation in the spring of 2007. The honor recognizes college football players from all divisions of play who are seniors and maintain at least a 3.2 cumulative grade point average.
The Class of 2009 for the Hampshire Honor Society included 564 players from 266 schools. It was a 27% increase from the 2008 class, which featured 439 players.
Bevins, who played inside linebacker, was named First Team All-Northwest Conference and Third Team All-West Region in 2008 after totaling 105 tackles, five of them for losses, in 11 games. He recorded two sacks, had one interception, and forced a fumble during his senior season.
Bevins was named Defensive Student-Athlete of the Week after recording 18 tackles and forcing a fumble against the University of Puget Sound on Nov. 8, 2008.
For his career, Bevins finished with 63 solo tackles and 140 total tackles in 31 games played. He recently graduated from Willamette with a bachelor's degree and a major in international studies.
In 2008, Bevins helped Willamette win the NWC championship at 6-0 and finish the regular season with an undefeated record at 10-0. The Bearcats qualified for the NCAA Division III Playoffs and advanced to the second round before finishing the season with an 11-1 record.
Qualifications for membership in the NFF's Hampshire Honor Society included:
Being a starter or a significant substitute in the last year of eligibility at an accredited NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision, Football Championship Subdivision, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III or NAIA college or university;
Achieving a 3.2 cumulative grade point average throughout undergraduate study; and
Meeting all NCAA-mandated progress toward degree requirements.
Willamette now has eight players in the Hampshire Honor Society. WU's previous selections were Kevin Dean, fullback, 2006-07; Ben Weyerhaeuser, inside linebacker, 2006-07; Matt Bicocca, place-kicker, 2007-08; Justin Cole, offensive guard, 2007-08; Ben Fennimore, 2007-08; Stephen Shamus, long snapper, 2007-08; and Kevin Whipps, quarterback, 2007-08.
Jack Bevins helped Willamette reach the NCAA Division III Playoffs and achieve an 11-1 record in 2008.
